A guarantor’s rights of subrogation are provided for in Sections 140 and 141 of the Indian Contract Act, 1872 (“ICA”). These rights allow a guarantor to step into the shoes of the creditor, upon fulfilling the debtor’s payment obligations to the creditor. This means that the guarantor assumes all the rights including the security that the creditor enjoyed against the principal debtor.

On July 19, 2024, Judge Michael Wiles of the US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York issued a ruling in In re Mercon Coffee Corporation, Case No. 23-11945, invalidating insider releases in a proposed chapter 11 plan on the basis that the releases were improper retention-related transfers.

Judge Wiles found that he could not approve the releases – even though the debtors had promised them and insiders had relied upon that promise – because the releases did not meet the strict requirements of Bankruptcy Code Section 503(c).

In Harrington v. Purdue Pharma, the US Supreme Court in a 5-4 decision held that the US Bankruptcy Code does not permit a debtor to confirm a chapter 11 plan that releases non-debtors from similar or related claims the creditors could assert directly against them.

In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, businesses find themselves at the intersection of technological innovation and geopolitical and economic turbulence. Despite the increased reliance on software systems and digital infrastructure, it remains peculiar that in many EU Member States there's still no clear framework for handling software licenses in insolvency.

BACKGROUND

Since its inception the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (Code) has been an evolving legislation with regular updation(s) being brought about in the form of rules and regulations with a view of streamlining the corporate insolvency resolution process (CIRP).

Restructuring Corporate Groups: Transferring Employees under a Scheme

Intersnack Mid Co Pty Ltd(No. 2) [2024] NSWSC 9 ("Intersnack")

Restructuring or consolidating corporate groups may involve a new or different company in the group employing staff. In such a case an order can be made under s 413, Corporations Act ("CA") giving effect to that arrangement including where the staff are employed under an enterprise agreement.

1. Introducción

Este mes son prominentes los autos de homologación de planes de restructuración (en su mayoría no consensuales) que seguimos viendo. En ese mismo campo destacamos la desestimación de la impugnación del ya famoso plan de Torrejón Salud (plan con una única clase) que se ha instaurado como un "leading case" en la práctica. Los recurrentes son condenados en costas.

Todo esto y más resúmenes de resoluciones que nos han parecido interesantes a continuación.

2. Audiencias Provinciales

Special Purpose Vehicles ("SPVs") – Financing Arrangements

Canstruct Pty Limited v Project Sea Dragon Pty Limited (No. 4) [2024] FCA 112 ("Canstruct")

SPVs are typically incorporated to undertake particular projects either for their holding company or on behalf of joint venturers. The arrangements made to fund the operations of SPVs can have implications for both their directors and their shareholders.

1. Introducción

Siguen siendo llamativas las homologaciones de planes de restructuración con apoyo de una ínfima mayoría del pasivo afectado. Este mes destacamos la homologación de un plan de restructuración para una microempresa aprobado por tan solo el 2,5% del pasivo con extensión de efectos al 97,5% restante.

Esta y otras resoluciones se resumen a continuación.

2. Tribunal Supremo

Due Diligence by Voluntary Administrators in respect of their Appointment

Robust Construction Services Pty Ltd [2023] NSWSC 1156 ("Robust")